Improved process for desulphurizing and disintegrating ores



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES C; AYER, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED PROCESS FOR DESULPHURIZING AND DISINTEGRATING ORES.

Specification forming part vof Letters Patent No. 46,619, dated March 7,1865; antedated January 24, 1865. I

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. AYER, of

Lowell, in the county of Middleseix and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented a new and Improved Process for Desul'phurizing, Oxidiziug,a'ndDisintegrating-Metalliferous Ores; and

precious metal preparatory to the ainalgamati ng process, but isapplicable to'otherores than those which are auriferous or argentifrous;and the object of my invention is the speedy andefl'ectualdesulphurization, oxidation, and disintegration of the rcckor ore byaprocess which, while itis speedy and effectual, isatthe same'time cheapand simple toperform. I I I I' will describe my process as applicable tothe gold and silver ores, -whichprocessmay'be obseri'ed in the treatmentof other ores for the purpose of their desulphurization, oxidation, anddisintegration.

I take masses of quartz-rock which contain precious metal, in thecondition such masses come from the miue,and place them in a furnape,where they are subjected .to a. high degree of heat,-,less thansuifioient to smelt the ore. When so heated the rock is subjected to a.bath of alkaline lye. appliances so arranged as to cause the rock or oneto be submerged in such bath; or the lye may be applied in the form of astream or spray-jets upon the ore .while in the furnace, or to masses ofthe ore after being taken from he furnace, but while in a highly-heatedstate. This treatment disintegrates the ore and more orless oxidizes thebasermetals in it. It is reheated, during which the heat so acts uponthe ore thus impregnated with the alkaline lye This may 'be done by,

as to rapidly effect its further oxidization, and disintegration,- anddesulphurization. The mass of rock or ore thus a second time heated}; itnot found to be suificiently disintegrated on reduced to a soft state,in which itmuy be easily pulverized, is again subjected to a bath; ofthe alkaline lye, as before, and again heated.

This operation may be repeated or continued a greater or less number oftimes, according to the refractory qualities of the ore, until thedesired disintegration, desulphurization, and

oxidation are attained. When the rock is of a friable nature the bathmay be applied by a stream of thelye or jets upon the ore while in thefurnace. If, however, the ore is of a re- .fractory nature, the bathshould be applied by 'theisuhmersion ofgthe ore.

' 1. The application of treating rock or ores while in the heated statewith an alkaline solution, substantially as described, for the purposeof partial disintegration, desulphurization, and oxidation of the same.

- 2. The application of retreating ores which have been heatedsubstantially as above described, and the same repeated for the com--plete disintegration, desulphurization, and oxidation, of the same.

JAMES C. AYER.

Witnesses:

A. H. TAYLOR, BENJ'. WALKER;

